Rescue in the Pacific: A True Story of Disaster and Survival in a Force 12 Storm

In June of 1994 a dangerous "bomb" storm caught dozens of cruising sailors by surprise as they voyaged north from New Zealand. This is the true story of how nine yachts struggled to survive the hurricane-like conditions. Boats were battered by fierce winds and capsized by seas towering well over 50 feet high. Equipment was ripped loose and water penetrated every weak point. Masts collapsed, rudders broke, and sailors lost steering control when they needed it most. The crews coped as best as they could with injury, fear, exhaustion, and illness. Their electronic calls for help were picked up by satellites and radio operators, who initiated a massive air and sea search. Royal New Zealand air and navy crews battled their way through the storm to rescue those in peril. Commercial ships were diverted from their own survival routines to find these tiny boats in the vast Pacific. Most were saved--some disappeared under the tumbling seas.